CONDOMS to Scholl footwear group SSL International's chief executive Brian Buchan is to step down next month, it was announced today.

He will be replaced by Garry Watts, group finance director and managing director of its European Operations, who helped get the company back on track after a turbulent couple of years, which saw a number of top-level departures and a major investigation in to its finances.

Last November, the Serious Fraud Office charged five former executives with fraud.

Mr Watts, 47, has been a key figure in the restructuring of the group, which recently agreed to sell its wound management business to Medlock Medical for £55m, which will be used to pay off debt.

SSL is selling off its businesses to focus on consumer brands such as Durex and Marigold household rubber gloves.

It previously disposed of plush offices in Knutsford, to help save money.

The European operations of the Cheshire-based group, headed by Mr Watts, generates 75 per cent of group turnover and employs 2000 staff. Mr Watts is also chairman of SSL's substantial joint venture operation in India.

He joined SSL in February 2001 from Celltech Medeva. He is also on the board of the UK's Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Commenting on Mr Buchan's departure, group chairman Ian Martin said: "I would like to pay tribute to him for his selfless contribution to the company through an extremely difficult period.

"He will leave SSL in a far better position than when he joined it."

Mr Buchan said he had enjoyed "three challenging years" with the company, and as it completed its restructuring, this was time for him to move on.